Alice in Earnestland (Korean: 성실한 나라의 앨리스; RR: Seongsilhan Naraui Aelliseu) is a 2015 South Korean black comedy film written and directed by Ahn Gooc-jin, in his first feature film.[1][2] It premiered at the 16th Jeonju International Film Festival where it received the Grand Prize in the Korean Competition; jury member and noted East Asian film critic Tony Rayns praised the film as "Funny, shocking and sometimes cruel, this film has enough invention and energy to take your breath away."[3][4][5]
| Alice in Earnestland | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Ahn Gooc-jin |
| Written by | Ahn Gooc-jin |
| Produced by | Yoo Young-shik Choi Ik-hwan |
| Starring | Lee Jung-hyun |
| Cinematography | Lee Seok-jun |
| Edited by | Kim Woo-il |
| Music by | Jang Young-gyu |
Production company | KAFA Films |
| Distributed by | CGV Arthouse |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Budget | ₩200 million |
| Box office | ₩760 million |
Plot edit
Soo-nam is a poor woman struggling to pay the hospital bills for her vegetative husband's care, even though her hard work seems to be hopeless. She is suddenly granted the chance for a turnabout when a redevelopment project takes place. When that falls through, Soo-nam discards her honesty and adapts a cold-blooded approach to take revenge on whoever is responsible for her debt-ridden life.
Cast edit
- Lee Jung-hyun as Soo-nam
- Lee Hae-young as Gyu-jung
- Seo Young-hwa as Kyung-sook
- Myung Gye-nam as Do-chul
- Lee Jun-hyeok as Hyung-suk
- Bae Je-ki as Detective Jo
- Lee Dae-yeon as Chief
- Ji Dae-han as Detective Park
- Lee Yong-nyeo
- Oh Kwang-rok as Art professor
- Lee Seung-joon
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16th Jeonju International Film Festival | Grand Prize (Korean Film Competition) | Alice in Earnestland | Won |
| 39th Hong Kong Asian Film Festival | New Talent Award | Ahn Gooc-jin | Won | |
| 35th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | Lee Jung-hyun | Nominated | |
| 36th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actress | Won | ||
| 2016 | 7th KOFRA Film Awards | Best Independent Film | Alice in Earnestland | Won |
| Best Actress | Lee Jung-hyun | Nominated | ||
| 3rd Wildflower Film Awards | Won | |||
| Best New Director | Ahn Gooc-jin | Nominated | ||
| 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actress | Lee Jung-hyun | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Ahn Gooc-jin | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Won | |||
| 16th Director's Cut Awards[6] | Best Independent Film Director | Won | ||
| 21st Chunsa Film Art Awards | Best Actress | Lee Jung-hyun | Nominated | |
| 11th Max Movie Awards | Nominated | |||
| 25th Buil Film Awards | Nominated | |||
| Best New Director | Ahn Gooc-jin | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ "Alice Works Earnestly in Cinemas". Korean Film Biz Zone. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ "Alice in Earnestland shakes box office". The Korea Times. 17 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ Conran, Pierce (7 March 2015). "POET ON A BUSINESS TRIP and ALICE IN EARNESTLAND Triumph in Jeonju". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ Song, Soon-jin (27 May 2015). "Wrapping up the 16th Jeonju International Film Festival". Korean Cinema Today. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ "ALICE IN EARNESTLAND Hits 30,000 Admissions Mark". Korean Film Biz Zone. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Conran, Pierce (11 August 2016). "NA Hong-jin Nabs Best Director from Director's Cut Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
